Tag: saya kamitani

Stardom announces Saya Kamitani injury, reveals title status

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Though she’ll be sidelined for a bit, Saya Kamitani won’t have to vacate her World of Stardom Championship.

Stardom sent out an update last night announcing that Kamitani requires surgery for the finger injury she suffered while facing Starlight Kid on February 7. Kamitani will miss approximately one month of matches but will not have to relinquish the World of Stardom title.

“After conducting a detailed examination of Saya Kamitani’s injury in Osaka on Feb. 7, the decision was made to pursue surgery and minimize further risk. As a result, Saya Kamitani will miss 1 month of in-ring competition, with a return date yet to be announced,” Stardom wrote. “Kamitani will remain World of Stardom Champion in this period. Thank you for your continued support.”

Kamitani was able to finish her match against Starlight Kid despite the injury, though she needed medical attention and had to have her fingers taped. The bout lasted almost 30 minutes with Kamitani retaining the World of Stardom title.

In 2025, Kamitani was one of the best wrestlers in the entire world. She made history by becoming the first women’s wrestler to ever win MVP in the Tokyo Sports Awards.

Stardom also announced that Suzu Suzuki, Saya Iida, and Bea Priestley will miss the promotion’s February 13 show at Korakuen Hall due to injury. The injuries to Suzuki and Priestly were described as “minor,” while Iida is undergoing a follow-up procedure from a previous surgery.

NJPW Strong & IWGP Women’s double champion crowned at Wrestle Kingdom 20

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

In the official second match of the night at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4th, 2026, at the Tokyo Dome, fans witnessed Syuri crown herself as the brand new NJPW Strong & IWGP women’s double champion.

IWGP Women’s Champion Syuri faced off against the NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Saya Kamitani in a Winner Takes All match for both titles. Following an impressive and hard-fought match, Syuri was able to defeat Kamitani and capture the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship.

In the closing moments of the match, Syuri hit the flaming torrent and kept Kamitani down for three count and sealed the victory. While an emotional Syuri celebrated and soaked in the moment, fans also noticed a sour Kamitani, disappointed at the result, throwing a small tantrum before walking out to the back with her team.

The title victory tonight marks Syuri’s first reign as the NJPW Strong Women’s Champion, while Kamitani’s reign came to an end at 99-days. She had previously won the title from AZM on 27th September, 2025, who in turn had won the championship from Mercedes Mone, earlier in 2025.

Meanwhile, Syuri has been the IWGP Women’s Champion since NJPW King Of Pro-Wrestling 2025.

Tokyo Sports MVP Saya Kamitani: My goal is to ‘bring women’s wrestling to the top’

Posted on by Ian Carey

After becoming the first woman to win the Tokyo Sports MVP award, Saya Kamitani says she’s working to bring women’s wrestling to the top with her at the forefront.

On Wednesday, NJPW1972.com published comments from some of the winners of the 2025 Tokyo Sports Awards.

Kamitani said:

“Saya-sama was the obvious choice! I won the World of STARDOM title last year in Ryogoku, won with my career on the line in April in Yokohama, then in September got women’s pro-wrestling on broadcast TV for the first time in 23 years. My goal has been for people who have never seen women’s wrestling to know who we are, and I did all the media that I could and worked in that ring to change perceptions stuck in the old women’s wrestling boom years ago. 

I’ve spent the whole year thinking of nothing but wrestling, driving myself half crazy, but this award justifies my not backing down from any of it. I still have any ambition to chase, to have all of you see something you’ve never seen before, bring women’s wrestling to the top of the major scene, and have Saya Kamitani at the forefront. Don’t take your eyes off Saya-sama!”

Kamitani is scheduled to face IWGP Women’s Champion Syuri at Wrestle Kingdom 20 in a Winner Takes All match for the NJPW Strong and IWGP Women’s titles.

Konosuke Takeshita – Most Outstanding

IWGP World Champion and G1 winner Konosuke Takeshita received the Outstanding Performer award. Takeshita said to NJPW1972.com:

“I’m honored to receive this award even as I’m based in America, and add this to the highlights of my career in 2025. I’m currently competing in AEW’s Continental Classic league, and I’m looking to end the year on a high. I want to live up to the outstanding performance award for the remainder of 2025, and have an even better year in 2026.”

Takeshita is currently wrestling in the AEW Continental Classic, where he has a 2-0-1 record, 7 points, and two round-robin matches remaining in the Blue League.

Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) – Best Tag Team

IWGP Tag Team Champions OSKAR & Yuto-Ice, the Knockout Brothers, won Best Tag Team.

Yuto-Ice said:

“I’m glad we’re in this lineup of the best and the baddest this year. What our belts, and this award means is more chances to fight the toughest people around. Having the belt and the award means we’re a target for teams in NJPW and other companies and that’s fine with me. You want to fight, you want to get high, let’s go. I hear there’s a little cash payoff. Make sure we get more next year. Feel it! Let’s get high- Big up!”

OSKAR said:

“In four months and only 13 matches as a tag team this year in Japan, we’ve already done enough to be names best tag. Winning the titles on our first attempt was proof enough. We’ll keep the results coming, keep the money coming and keep moving upward. KOB is just getting started and we will be undeniable.”

The Knockout Brothers were eliminated in the semifinals of the 2025 World Tag League by Gabe Kidd and Yota Tsuji. They will defend their titles against tournament winners Zack Sabre Jr. and Ryohei Oiwa at New Year’s Dash on January 5.

Technique Award: Hiroshi Tanahashi

In the final year of his in-ring career, Hiroshi Tanahashi earned the Technique Award from Tokyo Sports. He said to NJPW1972.com:

“I’m honoured to just slide under the line and win the Technique Award in my final year. It’s the one Tokyo Sports award I never won, so I’ve completed my grand slam. This is the award I’ve always coveted, so I’m happy and grateful for the selection.”

Tanahashi will wrestle his final match at Wrestle Kingdom 20 in the Tokyo Dome against his longtime rival, Kazuchika Okada.

Tokyo Sports Awards 2025 —

  • MVP: Saya Kamitani
  • Best Match: OZAWA vs. Kaito Kiyomiya from NOAH The New Year 2025
  • Women’s MVP: Saya Kamitani
  • Outstanding Performer: Konosuke Takeshita
  • Fighting Spirit Award: Sareee
  • Technique Award: Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • Best Tag Team: Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice)
  • Rookie of the Year: Kaisei Takechi of DDT Pro Wrestling
  • Special Topic Award: Teppei Arita of the comedy duo Cream Stew for his pro wrestling YouTube channel

Saya Kamitani makes history in Tokyo Sports Awards

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Stardom wrestler Saya Kamitani has made history in the 2025 Tokyo Sports Awards, becoming the first female to be named MVP.

The award winners were unveiled today with Kamitani taking the top prize. She follows Zack Sabre Jr., Tetsuya Naito, Kazuchika Okada, and Shingo Takagi as the most recent winners.

Kamitani is the current NJPW Strong Women’s Champion and World of Stardom Champion. Speaking in character, Kamitani said she shattered all preconceptions by becoming the first female to win this award. She vowed to take pro wrestling to new heights that cannot be imagined.

A double title match featuring Kamitani is scheduled for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4. It will be Kamitani vs. Syuri in a match where the Strong Women’s Championship and IWGP Women’s Championship are both on the line.

Hiroshi Tanahashi, who is set to retire at the January 4 Tokyo Dome show, finished second in MVP voting but was recognized through winning the Technique Award.

The Tokyo Sports awards have existed for five-plus decades now and are considered very important to the legacy of wrestlers in Japan. Here is the full list of this year’s winners:

Tokyo Sports Awards 2025 —

  • MVP: Saya Kamitani
  • Best Match: OZAWA vs. Kaito Kiyomiya from NOAH The New Year 2025
  • Women’s MVP: Saya Kamitani
  • Outstanding Performer: Konosuke Takeshita
  • Fighting Spirit Award: Sareee
  • Technique Award: Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • Best Tag Team: Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice)
  • Rookie of the Year: Kaisei Takechi of DDT Pro Wrestling
  • Special Topic Award: Teppei Arita of the comedy duo Cream Stew for his pro wrestling YouTube channel

Saya Kamitani’s opponent for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 revealed

Posted on by Ian Carey

Saya Kamitani’s opponent for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 has been revealed.

Kamitani successfully defended both her NJPW Strong Women’s and World of Stardom Championships on Monday against Momo Watanabe at Stardom Crimson Nightmare. After the bout, she was confronted by Saori Anou and IWGP Women’s Champion Syuri, leading to two future title matches.

Anou will challenge Kamitani for the World of Stardom title on December 29 at Dream Queendom 2025. Then at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4 in the Tokyo Dome, Syuri and Kamitani will go one-on-one in a double title match with both the IWGP Women’s and NJPW Strong Women’s Championships at stake.

The updated lineup for the show is below.

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 advertised lineup:

  • Champion vs. Champion: Konosuke Takeshita (IWGP World) vs. Yota Tsuji (IWGP Global) in a double title match
  • Aaron Wolf vs. EVIL
  • Champion vs. Champion: NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Saya Kamitani vs. IWGP Women’s Champion Syuri in a double title match
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi Retirement match

NJPW Strong Women’s, World of Stardom double champion crowned

Posted on by Ian Carey

Saya Kamitani now holds both the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship and the World of Stardom title.

Kamitani defeated AZM today at Korakuen Hall to defend her World of Stardom title and capture the Strong title. The finish saw AZM kick out of one Star Crusher, only to take a second Star Crusher moments later and stay down for three.

After the match, Kamitani was confronted by Momo Watanabe, winner of the 2025 5Star Grand Prix. Watanabe will challenge Kamitani for both titles on November 3.

Kamitani is now the sixth champion in the Strong Women’s title lineage, which began when Willow Nightingale became the inaugural champion after defeating Mercedes Mone, who was injured during the bout, at NJPW Strong Resurgence. AZM won the belt at Resurgence 2025 in a three-way against Mina Shirakawa and then-champion Mercedes Mone. She successfully defended it once, against Bozilla, in July.

Kamitani has now successfully defended the World of Stardom Championship six times since winning it from Tam Nakano at Dream Queendom 2024 last December.

The full show is available below:

NJPW Strong Women’s vs. World of Stardom title for title match set for Korakuen Hall

Posted on by Ian Carey

The World of Stardom Champion and the NJPW Strong Women’s Champion appear set to clash when Stardom heads to Korakuen Hall later this month.

Saya Kamitani retained her World of Stardom Championship against Bea Priestley at Stardom to the World in the Yokohama Budokan today. After the match, she was confronted by NJPW Strong Women’s Champion AZM, and they teased a title vs. title match for Stardom’s show on September 27.

AZM: “Do you remember losing to AZM at 5 ★ STAR GP? I came here to challenge for the red belt, and I’m fully qualified, right?”

Saya Kamitani: “You have another belt, right? That purple belt. If you’re willing to put that belt on the line, I’ll accept the challenge.”

Kamitani would later confirm the match has been set in her post-match comments, saying:

“On September 27 at Korakuen Hall, a double title match for the World and STRONG belts against AZM has been decided. I don’t care what kind of belts those are, but right now, Saya-sama needs ‘glory.’ Saya-sama’s ambition is the ‘Pro Wrestling Grand Prize MVP.’ AZM will just have to be my stepping stone.”

Priestley earned a shot at Kamitani’s title after defeating her during the round-robin portion of the 5STAR Grand Prix last month. AZM then beat Kamitani in the Red Stars semifinals of the tournament, putting her in line for a shot at the World of Stardom title as well.

May 5, 2025 Observer Newsletter: Mexican wrestling political maneuvering, incredible Kamitani vs. Nakano match

Posted on by F4W Staff

Subscribers can now read this week’s new Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave Meltzer delves into the recent maneuvers and cryptic messaging coming out of the Mexican wrestling scene as AAA and CMLL navigate their new reality.

Dave also looks back at the incredible scene at All Star Grand Queendom 2025 between Saya Kamitani and Tam Nakano in a loser must retire match.

All that, the news of the week in WWE, AEW and other promotions, and tons more in this week’s issue lie ahead.

Click here to read.

Pacific Rim: Osamu Nishimura memories, Mildred Burke’s influence in Japan

Posted on by Jim Valley

On a new Pacific Rim, Fumi Saito and I talk about his friend, the late Osamu Nishimura, who started in NJPW’s all-star class of 1991, wrestled all over the world in more places than you realize, and had a unique deal with NJPW.

Fumi went to Nishimura’s wake and talks about all the legendary wrestlers who respected and were influenced by Nishimura.

With “Queen of the Ring” in theaters, Fumi and I also talk about Mildred Burke’s influence in Japan and how she helped to create the WWWA World Championship.

Plus, we chat Hirooki Goto, Tam Nakano and Saya Kamitani.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Daily Update: New NXT match, Steph De Lander, Saya Kamitani

Posted on by Bryan Rose

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Poll results from all the major shows plus Match of the week and Performer of the week
  • Looking back on a week with some of the best matches of the year, story behind the matches and complications involved
  • Week one G-1 Climax coverage, what stories have been told, where is business, what is and isn’t working and match-by-match coverage
  • Coverage of TripleMania, including what really happened with Don Callis, the story behind Vikingo vs. Omega, as well as looking at the 8/12 show in Mexico City
  • Tony Khan press conference coverage, update on All In with new ticket sales info and how close to records is the show, more PPVs question, longer Dynamite, Death Before Dishonor and more
  • Full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show and what is next for the participants
  • Eric Young returns and Impact Slammiversary, as well as the return of Josh Alexander
  • How many homes are the networks that carry wrestling in
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling and MMA television shows, with a lot of shockers in the weekly and daily standings. Including what show placed No. 7 for the week in network television, where the wrestling and MMA shows finished on cable, segment-by-segment, competition and more
  • What promotion is killing it every week in ticket sales at the same arena
  • Major talent jump to join his brother
  • Documentary on the life of one of the biggest stars in history hits movie theaters internationally in the fall
  • Major TV documentary on the Ali vs. Inoki fight, what was revealed and some new news being reported
  • 75th anniversary of the birth of the NWA and the real story of its birth and growth
  • How the public’s viewing has changed
  • The Rick Steiner situation and how it was handled
  • More on the Teddy Hart arrest and what he was in Florida for
  • Notes on upcoming Impact TV shows
  • Upcoming ticket sales for WWE & AEw shows
  • Lots of new major UFC fights
  • Iconic company set for a return in September
  • Updated Money in the Bank and Forbidden Door PPV numbers
  • WWE injury updates
  • Dwayne Johnson reportedly sets an all-time money record
  • Gable Steveson’s decision
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

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Tuesday Update

WWE

AEW

Other Wrestling

  • Steph De Lander revealed to VICE Australia & New Zealand that she once wrestled in front of Florida governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis. “He came to the [WWE Performance Center] once. We got called in on Saturday that Ron DeSantis wanted to have a wrestling show for his kids. So him and his family came in, and they sat front row, and we all beat each other up on a Saturday morning because he wanted to take his kids to see the wrestling.”
  • ECW founder Tod Gordon’s memoir Tod is God was officially released today.
  • Kamile revealed that she will play June Byers in the upcoming ‘Queen in the Ring’ film, which centers around Mildred Burke.
  • Lisa Varon (Victoria in WWE) has been added to The Wrestling Code roster.
  • Starrcast announced that Dennis Rodman will be appearing in their next convention on September 1-3 during AEW All Out weekend.
  • Jaguar Yakota will team with Nanae Takahasi and Momoe Nakanishi to take on Momo Watanabe, Yuu, and Starlight Kid at Stardom’s August 19 Mid Summer Fes event.
  • Saya Kamitani has been pulled from Stardom’s 5Star Grand Prix tournament after suffering a dislocated elbow and ligament damage after jumping off a lightning tower in a match against Tam Nakano.
  • PWInsider reported that Impact will be making a “major international announcement” on Thursday morning.
  • Madusa spoke to Monthly Puroresu about her career.
  • Masato Tanaka will be making his DEFY debut at the Yakima Valley Sundome on October 13.

Stardom showcase matches official for NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW has revealed the two Stardom showcase matches that will be taking place at Wrestle Grand Slam in MetLife Dome.

At Wrestle Grand Slam night one this Saturday, Momo Watanabe & Saya Kamitani will team against Maika & Lady C. Watanabe & Kamitani will then face Giulia & Syuri at Wrestle Grand Slam night two on Sunday.

These will be the first Stardom showcase matches in NJPW to air live on NJPW World. They have previously been dark matches.

Night one of Wrestle Grand Slam in MetLife Dome will begin at 3:30 a.m. Eastern time this Saturday. Night two will begin at 1:30 a.m. Eastern on Sunday.

Here are the full lineups for both Wrestle Grand Slam shows:

Wrestle Grand Slam in MetLife Dome night one (Saturday, September 4) —

  • IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi defends against Kota Ibushi
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Jeff Cobb
  • Chase Owens defends the provisional KOPW 2021 trophy against Toru Yano in an I Quit match
  • YOH vs. SHO
  • Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI vs. Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask IV
  • Momo Watanabe & Saya Kamitani vs. Maika & Lady C

Wrestle Grand Slam in MetLife Dome night two (Sunday, September 5) —

  • IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi defends against EVIL
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Robbie Eagles defends against Hiromu Takahashi
  • IWGP Tag Team Champions Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi defend against Tetsuya Naito & SANADA and Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI in a three-way match
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo defend against El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jeff Cobb & The Great-O-Khan
  • Momo Watanabe & Saya Kamitani vs. Giulia & Syuri